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A client of mine suffers from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). He had an accident ten years ago and is extremely anxious. He cannot stop thinking about the accident and often relives the event repeatedly. If you saw him you would see an attractive silver haired older man able to carry on an intelligent conversation and discuss world events with the best of us.
Catch him on a bad day and you see someone who is anxious and paranoid. He trusts no one and will occasionally accuse friends of stealing from him. He may be very angry, may yell and may suffer from headaches, gastrointestinal distress, dizziness, chest pain or discomfort in other parts of his body all in the same day. He will tell you about the incident over and over and complain that he has nightmares and does not sleep. To an ordinary person he might appear to have lost her mental faculties. But he has not. He is most comfortable around people that he knows well. Strangers throw him into re-living the accident and experiencing a great deal of stress. He does best in his own home focusing on indoor gardening and woodworking projects.
PTSD is a common disorder that can cause issues with work and relationships. People with PTSD may feel emotionally numb, act irritable and lose interest in life. They may act angry or aggressive at times. Some symptoms include: memory problems, trouble concentrating, self destructive behavior, poor relationships and hopelessness about the future. Symptoms come and go rapidly. There are various treatments for PTSD that include therapy and medications. Many veterans of Desert Storm and others wars suffer from PTSD as well as individuals involved in traumatic accidents. Information about PTSD can be obtained from the National Center for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder at www.ncptsd.va.gov Treatment options are best discussed with a healthcare provider.
If you know someone with PTSD the best support you can offer is to be their friend because they will often drive their friends away due to their erratic behavior. Others will think them crazy and unable to care for themselves; while on a normal day you would never know they suffer from PTSD.
Copyright 2011 Pamela D. Wilson, All Rights Reserved.
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